My Dad took me to the airport when it was time to go. I had packed one suitcase with some clothes, my favorite lamp and my most precious possession - a 16x20 black and white photo of my mom holding me when I was a baby. My Dad was upset I was taking it. It was precious to him too and had lived in our home as long as we had. We negotiated over it for a little while and I promised I would good care of it. He finally gave in. My parents seemed supportive about my plans to move. However, my father let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I would not go out there without a plan. I would not be a burden to the people there and I would have to prove myself to stay. My goal was to get a job and be able to support myself. He had arranged that I could stay with one of the couples, that were part of the Bible Study group when I got there, and they would help me make a resume and see what they could do to help me find a job. He gave me two month's. If I didn’t have a job and wasn't able to support myself by then, I would need to come home.
After I was checked in and we were waiting for me to board the plane, he sat with me and gave me a talk about life and survival. Of course, he really had prepped me my whole life, for this moment. He had taught me what my purpose in life was and what a relationship with God was. He taught me about what it was to be a good person - a godly person and how to live by God’s Ways. He taught me that God would always be with me - no matter where I was - and how to live the blessed life by honoring Him. I had listened to his sermons my whole life and they were a part of the very lifeblood that flowed through my veins. Now, in the airport, he reiterated many of those things but then told me the one thing he never had before…”If you get in a pinch and you don’t have a lot of money you can always survive on cereal.” I laughed. He said, “I’m serious - remember that.” I tried to hide my smile and be serious. I thought it was sweet. I don’t remember crying when I left him even though I am sure I was misty eyed - however - I have a feeling he did. My mom didn’t come to the airport because she said my father wanted to talk to me but I know it was because she couldn’t handle it. She couldn’t bear me leaving. They were coming out for a visit later that summer and we would have a graduation party for me there with all of our friends in California so I looked forward to seeing them both then. That certainly made it easier for me - not sure about them though.
I loved being in California as an independent woman. I loved facing my future and was excited to see how it would all work out. I had hope. Again, it felt right, I knew in my heart it was right and just a matter of the Lord showing me the way. Of course, it was amazing to be back with my surfer and all my friends there. It had felt like home long before I arrived. Everyone was hugely supportive in my moving there, and everyone seemed excited to help me make a go of it. They were a huge blessing. The couple I stayed with were awesome and were integrated in the business world so both helped me to get myself out there and gave me an education on professionalism. How to handle myself, how to dress and everything I needed to know. They definitely helped me feel more confident. I had a resume prepared and had work history, being I had worked for my father, as his secretary, for years. I had many office skills and new computers well. I had also worked in a gourmet gift store, for a family we knew growing up, so had sales skills, knew how to operate a cash register and was good at wrapping gifts. So I had something to go off of. After a a month of looking, I had no solid leads. Nothing was quite panning out yet but I was trying. A couple weeks later I got a call from my Dad. "How’s the job search going", he asked. "It’s going”, I replied. "You know we will be out there in a couple weeks and if you don’t have a job by the time we get there you will need to come home with us.” “Yes, I know” I said. “As long as we have an understanding.” “Yes Dad, I understand.” That night it was all weighing heavy on my heart. I knew I was suppose to be here. I felt it in my heart. What would I do if they came and made me go home? It would be so devastating. I had no other plan because I felt so confident that God wanted me here. I had a moment of panic. So, that night, I said a heartfelt prayer:
Dear God,
I came out here because I believed with my whole heart that you wanted me here. I came on faith with a strong feeling in my heart that this is what you wanted for me. But Lord, I can’t stay if I don’t have a job and I have been looking and I’m being diligent. Our dear friends are helping me in every way they can, and have been so kind, but I cannot be a burden to them and I need to move forward. If this is really what you want for me then please help me Lord…please. I don’t know where else to look or where else to go. Please just bring the job to me, so that I will know, without a doubt, it is of You. Please Lord, I want to stay and I believe You want me to stay. In Jesus Christ name, Amen.
I went to bed peaceful and content, knowing the Lord would work it all out. I slept well. The next morning, as I was asleep on our friends couch, I heard my name being called softly. I was not ready to wake up. Then I heard, “Wake up…I have a job for you.” I was like, “What???” I opened my blurry eyes. Was I dreaming? No, I wasn’t. The wife of the couple I was staying with was standing at the end of the couch I was sleeping on and was leaning over my head and asking me if I wanted a job. Was this for real or some kind of joke? I said, “What? Wiping my eyes. Are you serious?” She said, “Yes, I have a job offer that just came in this morning.” I couldn’t believe it. I woke up and she explained to me that there was a job opening as an Executive Assistant, to the owner of a company, about 30 minutes north of where I was staying. It was paying great money. I was processing it all. It just all seemed so surreal. I would have to go for an interview but she knew the owner of the company and so had put in a good word for me. This was it. It was time to go for it. This would allow me to stay, if it worked out, and afford my own place and start my life! I got dressed and ready and the meeting with the owner was later that morning. I was so nervous. I prayed about it. My mind was swirling.
The wife drove me to the interview and introduced me to both the owner and his right hand man. They were both kind and courteous and they both interviewed me independently. I did the best I could, shook their hands and left. She said we would get a call to let us know the outcome within a day or two. Sure enough the next day we got the call….I WAS HIRED! I couldn’t believe it! What a miracle. God literally brought a job right to me...while I was still in my bed sleeping! Talk about answered prayer! I was thrilled to share this awesome blessing and miracle of God with all my friends, including my surfer and everyone was overjoyed. Then I called my parents. They were excited for me. I sensed a little bit of reservation though. I think they were stunned. It was a large dose of reality. I was really beginning my life in California…it was no longer talk it was reality. They came out a couple weeks later to see me. They would be visiting for a week and would host a graduation party for me at one of our friends homes before they left. My mom and I had fun running around buying decorations, food and planning it all. It was a wonderful party and was so fun to celebrate with all of our friends there. When the party was over and everyone had left it was just my mom, dad, sister and I. We began talking about my job and me living in California. My mom broke-down She began sobbing. She said she couldn’t believe I was really staying and wasn’t going home with them. She sobbed so hard, I had never seen her cry like that. My heart was breaking. “Mom, it’s okay”, I told her. She said, “No, it’s not” as she sobbed violently. I tried to comfort her and my dad sat on the couch with tears in his eyes watching it all. He was trying to be a voice of reason but my mom wasn’t having it. I didn’t know what to do or say. I knew I needed to stay but I didn’t want to break her heart. She said, “I don’t know how I can live without you near me. How am I suppose to do that?” My Dad and I tried to comfort her. At one point she told my Dad that he should force me to go home. I was shocked. My Dad explained to her, I had a job now. It was a terrible scene. There was no comforting her. She sobbed for what seemed like forever. The next day they left for home and I said goodbye. It was heartbreaking, more than when I had originally left home, because we all knew it was real. My mom was emotional but was trying to be stoic. She was a little distant and I wondered if she was mad at me. I didn’t want her to be. Of course, I didn’t understand all that she was going through. I was just excited to start my life and I wanted her to be happy for me. It would take some time.
I was sad to see them go but was eager to get things situated and get back to being an independent woman. I couldn’t wait to find my own place, get a car and spend more time with my surfer. All these new responsibilities were exciting for me and I knew with God’s help, that it would all work out in His time. After all, He had just answered my prayer and confirmed my feelings…I was meant to stay. I was meant to be here. This was just the beginning of my new life!
♥️LGOF